Safety razor



Nov. 12, 1935. J. D. GARRETsoN '2,020,501

SAFETY RAZOR Filed oct.y 25,r 195s D. Gmane oN APatented Nov. l2, 1935 UNITED .srA'rles y aozasol SAFETY Razon John D. Garretson, Oakland, Calif., assigner to Godfrey Dalkowitz, Brooklyn, N. Y., and John 'a D. Garretson, Oakland, Calif., trustees 'Application october 25, 193s, sean No. assise 19 claim. (ci so-el) This inventionrelates particularly to a safety razor consisting of a guard member supported on a handle, a two part blade backing member, and a thin flexible blade to be clamped between the guard and backing members, to hold the cutting edges of the blade' overlying a slot in each ot the opposite edges of the guard, the two part blade backing member being hingedly supported on the guard to assume a folded'position at times, to permit the installation or `removal of .the blade from the guard member.

. An object of the invention is to provide a safety razor on which the blade may be placed or removed without the necessity of disassembling or taking apart the safety razor, the 'said razor having a blade backing member thereon which assumes an extended position to clamp the blade onto the guard member, andassumes a folded position to permit the blade to pass thereover when being'placed un or removed from the guard 'member. y

A still further object is to provide a safety razor wherein the blade bacmng member is foldable to 'pass thru'an elongated slot in the blade, said blade being of a peculiar slotted type for cooperation with a safety razor oi the character specified.

Other objects and advantages are to provide a safety razor that will be superior in point of simplicity, inexpensiveness of construction, posii'iveness of operation, and facility and convenience in use and general eiciency. In this specication and the annexed drawing,

the invention is illustrated in the ormconsidered to be the best, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form,

because it may be embodied in other forms; and

it is also to be understood that in and by the claims following the description, it: is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it'may be embodied. V

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 represents a vertioal'cross section thru a ing the blade backing member intermediate the folded and extended positions. v

Fig. 3is a vertical cross section similar to Fig. 1,

and showing the blade backing member in the extended and operative position.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 1, a portion ot the blade vbeing broken away to show the slots in the guard member. v

Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 3. -f

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken thru Fig. 5 on the line 6 6 to show the hinged connection of the two4 part blade backing on the guard member.

Fig. I is a reduced size longitudinal cross section l0 taken thru Fig. 1 on the line Al-l. v Y

Inv the drawing, the numeral i indicates a guard member provided with a slot 2 along each of its opposite longitudinal edges. The upper center surface ofthe 'guard l is iiattened as at and l5 the sides of the guard adjacent the iiattened portion, are curved downwardly and outwardly as at ll, at a proper angle for contacting the razor with the face during' the shaving operation.

The guard member is mounted on a hollow 4handle 5 which is secured to the center of the guard on the underside thereof. A stem 6 is slidabLv confined in the tubularl I- i The lower end of the handle b is shouldered and threaded to receive a head Yl, said head being rotatable around the lower end of the handle d. The lower end of the stem t is threaded as at ti. to engage an internally threaded portion 9 on the head whereby rotation oi the heed 'i causes the stem to move axially in the handle d, thru and by reason of the co-engaging ted. portions on the stem d and h l.

Theupper end of the handle t where it joins the underside of the member i, is :1w in diameter as at i0 to provide a cavity il of sub- 35 stantial area around the stem e.

A bar l2 is provided on the longitudinal center line of the guard member i, the upper portion of said bar l2 projecting a substantial distance above the upper iiat surface 3 of the guard member, 40

land the length oi said bar i 2 being the same as the' length of the guard member.

A blade backing member consisting of a pair of likehalves I3, has each of its opposite ends pivvotally attached to opposite ends oi the bar l2,

there being aligned pins I6 in each oi the opposite ends of the bar l2 to form journals on which the respective halves of the blade backing member may swing from the folded position shown in Fig.- 1, into the extended position shown in Fig. 3, and

vice versa. The opposite longitudinal edges IS of the blade backing members form surfaces to en- Sage the opposite sides of the blade, adjacent the cutting edges thereof. On the underside of each of the halves of the blade backing member is provided a depending stud I6, which stud is provided with a longitudinally disposed cam slot I1 therein. The stud I6 is positioned substantiallymidway between the ends of the halves of the blade backing member on which it is mounted.

The upper end of the stem 6 is provided with an enlarged shoulder I8 thereon, on opposite sides of which a pair of arms 20 project in parallel with the length of the stem 6. The arms 20 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the width of the bar I2. Each of the arms 26 extend thru openings provided in the .dattened portion of the guard member I on opposite sides of the bar I2 and ata point midway between the opposite ends of the guard member. The upper end of each arm 20 terminates in a'slotted clevis 2I.

The stud I6 on each of the halves of the blade baclring member, is adapted to be conned within the slot of each clevis 2l, there being a pin 22 fixed in each clevis which extends thru the slot I'I in the stud I8. The stem 6 is limited in its reciprocative movements by the engagement of the shoulder I6 with the underside of the guard I when the stem is moved upwardly, and the engagement of said shoulder I8 with the base of the socket I0 in the handle 5, when the stem is moved downwardly.

When the head 1 on the handle 5 is rotated from the position shown in Fig. 1, the .stem 6 is retracted axially in the handle to lower the blade backing members from the folded position shown in Fig. 1 into the partially extended position shown in Fig. 2, and thence into the fully extended position shown in Fig. 3. The blade backing member is held in the extended position shown in Fig. 3, by turning the head 'I on the handle to exert a downward pull on the center portion of the opposite halves of said blade backing member, thus preventing the same from swinging into the folded position.

When the blade backing member is in the elevatedposition shown in Fig. l, the arms 20 on the stem 6, thru engagement with the slotted portions on the opposite halves of the blade backing member, cause said halves of the blade backing member' to remain in the folded position. By reason of the fact that the opposite halves of the blade backing member are i'lxedly pivoted to the bar I2 at -their opposite ends, said members always swing about the center of said pivotal connection. The pin and slot connection between the halves of the blade backing member and the stem merely effects raising and lowering movement ofthe halves of the blade backing member into r`and from the folded and extended positions.

Whenever the blade backing member is lowered froml the elevatedposition shown in Fig. 1, into the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or whenever the blade backing member is moved in the reverse direction from the extended and into a bowed position, the action of the clevis pins 22 engaging the sides of the slots I1 in the stud I6, cause the oppositehalves of the blade backing member to move in the desired direction. The length of movement 'of the stem 6 permits the blade backing member to be moved away from the guard I into a position of substantial registry with the bar I2, the thickness of the two halves of the blade backing member substantially corresponding to the thickness or width of the bar I2.

A blade 25 to be mounted upon the razor above described, is of the thin, flexible type, having cutting edges on each of the oppositelonger sides thereof, and is provided with a central longitudinal aperture 26, the central portion of which is enlarged at 21.` The length of the slot 26 is greater than the length of the bar I2, and likewise is greater than the length of the blade backing member, whereby when the blade is dropped over the backing member, in the collapsed position shown in Fig. l, and onto the guard member, the blade cannot move lengthwise in either direction.- Sidewise movement of the blade is prevented by engagement of the longer side edges of the slot in the blade with the side faces of the bar I2 or stem arms 20. The width of the slot 26 and enlargement 21, is slightly more than the overall thickness of the opposite halves of the blade backing member when in the folded or collapsed position, shown in Fig. 1, and the bar I2, whereby said blade will pass freely over the folded halves and the bar when either placing the blade on or removing it from the razor. The contour of the slot 26 and its enlargement 2l, correspond to the outline or boundary of the backing member when in the folded position, and "of the bar l2.'

When the blade is' to be placed on or removed from the razor, the backing member is first brought into the position shown in Fig. l, the opposite ends of the blade are grasped between the lingers. and the central opening of the blade is moved relative to the folded halves of the blade backing member and the bar I2, until the slotted portion of the blade vengages or disengages the oppositey sides andl ends of the projecting bar I2 on the guard member. When the blade is properly positioned on the guard, opposite halves of the blade clamping member clamp the opposite cutting edges of the blade in shaving position, along the opposite sides of the guard member as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described this invention. what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A safety razor, comprising a guard member provided with a blade positioning member on one side thereof and a tubular handle on the other side; a blade backing member formed of complementary halves, each of which are hingedly mounted on the blade positioning member; a stem to move axially in said handle and having the upper end thereof slidably pivoted to the opposite halves of the backing member, whereby said backing member is movable from an extended position in contact with the guard into a collapsed position above the guard, and vice versa; a blade to be clamped between the guard and blade backing member and having a central longitudinal slot fitting over the blade positioning member and being of a length and width exceeding that of the blade backing member when in the collapsed position; and coacting means on the stem and handle for relatively moving said blade right n Cil ber when in the extended position and to fold into a collapsed posltionparallel to the` blade positioning member when in the raised position; ablade adapted to be clamped between said guard and blade backing member having a central longitudinal slot, the ends of which t said blade positioning member, and'being of-a length exceeding that of said blade backing member, the width of said slot exceeding the width of the halves of the blade backing member when in the folded position, said slot permitting the blade to blade backing member being slidably hinged on said slidable means to cause each of the longitudinal edges thereof to substantially coincide with the longitudinal edges of said guard member when in ,the extended position and to fold into a collapsed position on opposite sides of the slidable means .when in the raised position and to hold the opposite halves in non-swinging folded position on opposite sides of the slidable member when the blade backing member is in the raised position; a blade adapted to be clamped between said guard and blade backing member having a central longitudinal slot, the ends of which fit said blade positioning member and being `of a length exceeding that of said blade backing member, the width of said slot exceeding the width of the halves of the blade backing member when in the folded position, said slot Apermitting the blade to be moved over the folded halves of f the blade backing member and said slidable means when the latter is raised away from the guard; and means for relatively moving the said blade backing member into clamping position with the guard.

4. A safety razor, including a guard member; a blade; and a capto engage the blade with the guard member, said cap being divided on its central longitudinal axis into two halves each of which is hingedly connected to the guard member along the longitudinal center line thereof, whereby the cap may be elevated relative to the 55- 4blade and the two halves of the cap will fold up into a position at right angles to the plane of the guard. Y

5.. A safety razor, including a guard member; a blade; and a cap to engage the blade 'with the 'guard member, said cap being divided on its central longitudinal axis into two halves each of which is hingedly connected to the guard memberalong the longitudinal center line thereof, whereby the cap may be elevated relative to the blade and the two halves of the cap will fold up into a position at right angles to the plane of the guard; and means to-hold the two halves of the cap in a non-swinging position when the cap is in the folded elevated position.

6. A safety razor, including a guard member;

a blade; and a cap to engage the blade with the guard member, said cap being divided into two separate halves, each of which is hingedly connected tothe upper side of the guard member along a centerline thereof, whereby the cap may be elevated relative to the blade and the two halves of the cap will fold up into a position at right angles to the plane of the guard.

'7. A. safety razor, including a guard member having a longitudinally diposed bar projected along the upper face thereof; a blade positioned by said bar on the guard member; and a cap to engage the blade Vwith the guard member, said cap being divided on its central longitudinal axis into two 'halves each of which is hingedly connected at the opposite ends thereof to the bar on the guard member, whereby the two halves of the cap will fold up into a position parallel to the longer side walls of the bar on the guard member.

8. A-safety razor, including a guard member having a longitudinally disposed bar projected` along the upper face thereof; a blade positioned by said baron the guard member; a cap to engage the blade with the guard member, said cap being divided on its central longitudinal axis into two halves each of which is hingedly connected at the opposite ends thereof to the bar on the guard member, whereby the two halves of the cap will fold up into a position parallel to the longer side walls of the bar on the guard member; and means engaging the' opposite halves of the cap to move the same into engagement with the blade on the guard member at times and at other times to move the halves of the cap kinto the folded position.

member, said cap being divided into two separate halves, each of which is hingedly connected to the upper side of the guard member along a center line thereof, whereby the cap may be elesame into engagement with the blade on the guard member at times and at other times to move the halves of the cap into the folded position. A

10. In a safety razor, a guard with slots adjacent the outer longitudinal edges thereof, and

with a blade positioning vbar across a center line 9. A safety razor, including a guard member; a blade; a cap to engage the blade with the guard thereof; a tubular handle having one end attached to the guard; two blade flexing members v,hingedly attached on opposite sides'of the blade positioning bar, said members being raisable into parallel positions substantially at right angles to the plane of the guard for blade installation or removal, and movable to positions substantially parallel to the plane of the guard for bringing a flexible blade into flexed contact with the guard with the outer edges of blade parallel to lungitudinal edges of guard; slidable means within the tubular handle connected with the blade ex- I.ing members for raising and low ering the sameinto blade placement and blade flexing positions; and a flexible blade having opposite cutting edge-, and having a central aperture of dimensions adapted to pass over the blade flexing members, when inthe raised positions. and also over the blade positioning bar. the said aperture being enlarged at the middle thereofto fit over the means for the raising and the lowering of the blade ilexing members.

1l. A razor comprising a blade seat and guard 'and means for clamping a blade thereon, said means comprising clamping sections each hinged at one end to swing about an axis intermediate the opposed ends of the blade seat, the two being so related as to swing oppositely from a position of adjacent parallelism for blade releasing perf poses to a position in end to end relation for blade clamping purposes.

12. In combination, a razor comprising a blade seat having blade guards along opposite edges, and a cover for clampingthe blade, said cover comprising'two members mounted for relative movementl from an end to end relation to a position of substantial parallelism, and a blade having a slot of a length and width at least equal to the horizontal projection of both said cover members when in such position of substantial parallelism so that with the'clamping members in such position of substantial parallelism, the aforementioned slotted blade -can be seated and unseated merely by lifting it over said clamping members.

13. A safety razor, comprising a guard member provi-ded with blade positioning studs on one side thereof and a tubular vhandle on the other side; a blade backing member hinged on its longitudinal center line to form complementary halves; a stem to move axially insaid handle and having the upper end thereof pivotally connected t the' opposite halves of the backing member, whereby said backing member is movable from an extended position in contact with the guard into a collapsed position above the guard. and vice versa; a blade to be clamped between the guard and blade backing member and having a central longitudinal slot fitting over the blade positioning studs and being of a length and width exceeding that of the blade backing member when in the collapsed position; and coacting means on the stem` and handle for relatively moving said blade backing member into and from blade clamping position on the guard.

14. A safety razor, comprising a guard mem-` ber provided with blade positioning studs on one side thereof and a tubular handle on the other side; a blade backing member hinged on its longitudinal center line to form complementary halves; a stem to move axially in said handle and having the upper end thereof pivotally connected to the opposite halves of the backing member, whereby said backing member is movable from an extended position in contact with the guard into a collapsed position above the guard,

'and vice versa; means pivotally connected to blade backing member into and from blade clamping position on the guard.

15. A safety ra'zor comprising a guard member provided with blade positioning studs; a. blade backing member consisting of complementary halves hingedly connected along one side thereof; means slidable at right angles to said' guard member, the halves of said blade backing member being hingedly mounted on said slidable means to cause each of the longitudinal edges thereof to substantially coincide lwith the longitudinal edges of said guard member when in the extended position and to fold into a collapsed position on opposite sides-of the slidable means when in the raised position; a blade adapted to be clamped between said guard and blade'backing member having a central longitudinal slot, l the vguard element, a clampingplate element, said ends of which fit said blade positioning studs, and being of a length exceeding that of said blade backing member, the width of said slot exceeding the width of the halves of the blade backing member when in the folded position, said slot 5 permitting the blade to be moved over the folded Q halves of the blade backing member and said slidable means when the latter is raised away from the guard; and means for relatively moving the said blade backing member into clamping posil0 tion with the guard.

16. A safety razor comprising a guardmember provided with blade positioning studs; a blade backing member consisting of complementary halves hingedly connected along one side thereof; means slidable at right angles to said guard member the halves of said blade backing member being hingedly mounted on said slidable means to cause each of the longitudinal edges thereof to substantially coincide with the longitudinal edges of said guard member when in the extended pol sition and to fold into a collapsed position on opposite sides of the slidable means when in the raised position; means pivotally connected to each of the opposite halves of the blade backing member to hold the opposite halves in non-swingingv folded position on opposite sides of the slidable member when the blade backing member is in the raised position; a blade adapted to be clamped between said guard and blade backing member having a central longitudinal slot the ends of which ilt said blade positioning studs` and being' of a length exceeding that of said blade backing member, the width of said slot exceeding the width of the halves of the blade backing member when in the folded position, said slot permitting the blade to be moved over the folded halves of me blade backing member and said slidable means when the latter is raised away from the guard; and means for relatively moving the said 40 blade backing member into clamping position with the guard.

1'7. A safety razor including in combination a head; a handle for said head, said head comprising a guard element and a cap element, said cap element being divided into foldable complementary halves; means mounted in said handle andoperatively related to the guard element and cap element for moving said cap element toward or from the guardelement; a blade to bepositioned between said guard element and said cap element and formed with an opening for the passage of said cap element; and means whereby said cap element may be brought into a position exr tending at an angle to the guard element during 5" its passage through the blade opening.

18. A razor including in combination a head,

a handle for said head, said head comprising a clamping plate element and guard element being hingedly connected, means mounted on one of said elements and operatively related to the other element for moving one of said elements toward or from the other, whereby the movable element may be brought at one time to a position substantially parallel with the other element and at another time brought to an angle to the other element during its passage through the blade opening, and a blade tobe positioned between said 70 elements and formed with an opening for the passage of one of the same.

19. A razor including, in combination a head,

a handle for said head, said head comprising a guard element, a clamping plate element, said 7o 2,020,501 Y clamping plate element and guard element being hingedly' connected; means within the handle and guard element operatively related to the cap element for maintaining said cap element appproximately parallel with said guard element at times, andfor movingsaid cap element away from said guard element to a position approximating a 90 degree angle thereto at other times; and a blade to be positioned between said elements and formed with an opening for the passage of the cap element when said cap element is in the position approximating a 90 degree angle to the 5 said guard element. l

JOHN D. GARRETSON. 

